Monitor Display Stand

This invention relates to monitor display stands and particularly to such stands for use with vehicle simulators.

Vehicle simulators are known which have separate monitor display stands.

According to the present invention there is provided a monitor display stand for use with a vehicle simulator having a main body including a seat, the monitor display stand comprising a base for location below said main body, a monitor support structure mounted on said base and for extension within said body to a position located above said body, said support structure being adapted to support at least one monitor above said body, whereby the main body can move independently of the monitor display stand.

Preferably, the monitor display stand is arranged to remain static while the main body moves. More preferably, the extent of movement of the main body relative to the monitor display stand is several centimetres, preferably from 3.5 to 15 cms.

Preferably, the monitor display stand is a cantilevered arrangement. More preferably, the monitor display stand comprises an elongate base and a cantilevered arm extends within the main body and is connected to a monitor support column which extends above said main body.

Preferably, there is a gap between the main body and the monitor display stand at the lower edge of the main body and a flexible barrier is mounted in the gap.

Preferably. The monitor support column extends through a hole in the main body providing a gap therebetween. More preferably, a flexible barrier is mounted in this gap.

The present invention also provides a vehicle simulator comprising a vehicle body and a monitor display stand according to the invention.

The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 FIG. 2 3 FIGS.and 1 3 4 5 7 9 3 11 13 11 3 3 3 11 15 17 19 Referring toof the accompanying drawings, a vehicle simulatorhas a main bodywhich includes a body housing, a seat, a steering wheeland foot controls. Main bodysits on a monitor display standwhich supports a pair of monitors. The display standappears to be part of the main bodybut is in fact a separate structure which is not in contact with any part of the main bodyand appears to float, remaining static when the main bodyis moving. Referring toof the accompanying drawings, the display standcomprises a basehaving three parallel bars connected at each end by flat angle bar elements,.

15 11 21 23 25 15 Extending upwardly from the front end of baseof display standare struts,which are angled with respect to the vertical and which meet at bracketwhich lies above the front end of base.

25 27 25 15 29 27 25 Bracketis a gently curved armwhich extends rearwardly from bracketso that it overlies baseover about two fifths of its length. Columnextends upwardly from that end of armwhich is remote from bracket.

29 4 3 29 31 4 33 13 35 15 15 Apart from column, the monitor display stand lies wholly within the housingof main body. Columnextends through a holein the housingand carries a computer. The monitorsare mounted directly to the housing of the PC or to bracketsattached to the PC housing, thereby providing varying height capability. The cantilever weight loaded design of the monitor display stand allows the monitor to be positioned close to seating position by using a basewhich positions the centre of gravity past the monitors thereby avoiding the structure toppling over. The basealso provides a platform for the main body of the simulator to sit on by effectively clamping the display stand to the floor by utilising the weight of the main body.

3 1 11 The main bodyof simulatoris provided with motion actuators which sit inside cups that form part of the display stand. There are two cups in each rear corner and one in the front centre.

3 This arrangement constrains the movement of the main body. Typically the extent of movement in each direction is from 3.5 to 15 cms.

In an alternative arrangement, separate cups are provided on the floor rather than on the display stand.

1 7 8 8 FIGS.andA toF The vehicle simulatoruses motion technology to move in multiple axes of pitch, roll and heave, these motions being controlled by software and being illustrated in.

3 1 37 3 15 39 31 29 The main bodyof vehicle simulatoris provided at its lower edge with a flexible barrierwhich prevents body parts or objects being inserted into the gap between main bodyand the base. A further flexible barrierprovides the same function for the holethrough which columnpasses.

In summary, monitor display stand of the invention holds one or more monitors, orienting them in the correct position relative to the seated user of the simulator. It is in effect an invisible structure as the framework is hidden inside the outer body of the simulator. It provides a separate functionality to that of the simulator by not being in contact with any part of the main simulator body.

The main simulator body uses motion technology to move in multiple axes of pitch, roll and heave.

The display stand appears to be part of the main body but is actually separate with the main vertical column passing through a hole in the top of the main body shell. It therefore remains static when the main body of the simulator moves around it and the motion is active.

The cantilever weight loaded design allows the monitors to be positioned close to the seating position with long extending poles that would ordinarily just topple over. This is avoided because the base extends the centre of gravity past the monitors.